The N.Z. Radio Institute

Radio Record, Volume VI, Issue 17, 4 November 1932, Page 6

The N.Z. Radio Institute

Lecture on Automatic Volume Control HE New Zealand Radio Institute is still making good progress, and at the last month’s meeting a large number of members and associates from all over New Zealand were elected. It has been decided to form a branch in. Christchurch, the meetings having been fixed for the third’ Tuesday in every month at the Radio Society’s yvoom in Cashel Street. Inquiries in this direction should be made to Mr. Leslie Hurrell, radio engineer, Armagh Street, Christchurch. A motion authorising the alteration of the Constitution to allow for braziches to be formed was passed without discussion. The amended Constitution will allow for a vice-president of the society in cach centre strong enough to have branch meetings. The amended Constitution allows for a vice-president in Wellington ,and nominations for this position were called. They ure to be jJodged in writing w ith the secretary on or before November 3. Voting facilities for absentee members will be provided.

In reading his report the secretary touched upon the sad fatality which brought the career of Mr. G. B. 8, King to an untimely end. Mr. King was well known in radio circles in Wellington, and had been associated with the institute in its inuugural work. Had it uot been for this untoward occurrence he would have been elected a full member of the institute at this meeting. In commenting on the fatality, Mr. Webster said he felt that, as a mark of respect, the members present should stand in silence. The institute, be said, extended to Mrs. King and the bereaved relatives, their deepest sympathy. The main feature of the evening was a lecture by Mr. A. D. Baggs, on automatie volume control. Mr. Baggs traced graphically the effect of AVC, and. showed the need for it in modern receivers. He then outlined the principles and applied them to the yarious types of circuits. In commenting. on some of the latest American methods, Mr. Braggs mentioned that a system was now being developed in which the AVC had a choking effect upou the detector, When noisy signals were impinged, the detector cut off'so only clear signals could be heard. This he said, was a very important step toward static elimination, and prevented the noise which is so disconcerting when tuning from one station to anorner. The paper, together with the diagrams, will be forwarded ty all’ members and associates of the institute.